Rockets emphasize ending season on a high note

Rockets center Dwight Howard has repeatedly said the priority of the Rockets season has been to make progress toward being cohesive after the off-season changes. With a month left to play, he said that it is important to reach the postseason on a roll.

“We just understand how important it is that we finish the season on a good note so we can head into the playoffs being a hot team,” Howard said. “That’s been our focus, how we approached the season. We understood when we started the season it would take some time for us to get together, making plays for each other, understanding how I like the ball, how James (Harden) likes the ball and the rest of the guys.

“It’s a learning process, but I think we’ve done an excellent job this season of coming together.”